Art by more than 500 youngsters a Cambridge ‘legacy’

Hundreds of young people will see their art displayed at a gallery after responding to a call for submissions.

Paint What Matters! will showcase more than 500 works created by youngsters aged from four to 21 at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge.

The gallery asked the question – “What matters to you today?” – and paintings, drawings and collages flooded in on subjects including family, environmental concerns and current affairs.

The museum said it hoped the exhibition, which runs from 26 February to 9 March, would be “a testament to the diversity and imagination of the city’s young artists”.

All the works on show have been created by children and young people who live, study or work in Cambridge.

The aim was to “capture the hopes, concerns and insights of the next generation”.

Many of the artworks were a result of the open call for submissions but others were the product of workshops with community partners and local schools.

A number of the pieces from young children reference climate change and nature as a recurring theme.

One young child called their painting Save the Earth, while another was titled Love the Ocean and Be Thankful.

Women’s rights and gender equality issues were also tackled by some of the older artists.

Letty Pilgrim, the project’s administrator, said she had the “lucky job” of telling people their artwork was going to be included in the exhibition.

“The thoughtfulness, passion and hope that the artworks expressed for the future has been it’s been really quite moving,” she said.

“It’s so special to be able to tell these children and young people that their artwork is going to be displayed in an amazing modern and contemporary art gallery on the same walls that have displayed other really amazing artists.”

The venue said it hoped the new exhibition would “build on the legacy of Jim and Helen Ede, who created Kettle’s Yard”.

The gallery, in Castle Street, was once the home of Tate Gallery curator Mr Ede and his wife Helen.

“They hoped the house and gallery would become a place of reflection, conversation and inspiration for all who visited, and especially children, young people and students in Cambridge,” a spokesperson said.

Director of the art gallery, Andrew Nairne, added: “Kettle’s Yard is proud of its longstanding commitment to inspiring and engaging children and young people with modern and contemporary art.

“The making of this exhibition has reinforced how creativity allows children and young people to express their views and ideas, and what they are passionate about.”

Kettle’s Yard is the University of Cambridge’s modern and contemporary art gallery.